Winter transfer window is over. What did it bring?

At midnight on February 3, the winter transfer window closed in most leagues. Although no record-breaking transfer fees were paid this time around, there were still several interesting and perhaps unexpected transfers. Let's recall some of them.

Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns -> Manchester City)

Possibly one of the biggest transfers of the winter. The Olympic champion was one of the main faces in midfield in Portland, even serving as captain. However, there had been speculation about her departure from the US for a long time. Her name was linked with Arsenal, of which Coffey is a fan, but in the end, speculation spread about her arrival at Manchester City, which was ultimately confirmed. For Coffey, this is her first experience outside the US. And she may even celebrate a title. After defeating Chelsea 5-1, the Citizens secured a very respectable lead at the top of the table. 

Signe Gaupset ( SK Brann -> Tottenham Hotspurs)

Players from Sweden and Norway took the WSL by storm this winter. The most notable of these is Signe Gaupset, who signed with Spurs back in November. Although she is only 20 years old, she was voted Player of the Year in Norway's Toppserien and is also relied upon by the national team. Now Tottenham are counting on her. She will join her fellow Norwergian Cathinka Tandberg, who arrived in the summer, in attack. 

Smilla Holmberg ( Hammarby -> Arsenal)

And speaking of young talent. Arsenal was relatively quiet in terms of transfers during the winter, but the defense was strengthened by a young, only 19-year-old player from Sweden. Smilla is 19 years old, made her debut for the national team in May, and just a month after graduating from high school, she represented Sweden at the Euros, where she started and even scored a goal against Germany. It was only a matter of time before one of the big clubs spotted her. She comes to North London from Hammarby, the club where she graduated from the academy. She has already celebrated her first Champions Cup trophy with Arsenal, where she was a very useful player in both matches.

Learn more about Smilla here.

Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyoness -> Denver Summit)

There are also some interesting transfers happening outside Europe. Starting in March, the NWSL will expand with two new clubs, Denver Summit and Boston Legacy. The Denver club has gained a valuable addition in the form of US national team captain Lindsey Heaps. For Heaps, this is a return to the NWSL, where she previously played in Portland before moving to Lyon. In four seasons there, she won a number of trophies, including the Champions League. Now she will try her luck at a brand new club.

Barbora Votíková (Slavia Prague -> Arsenal) and Zara Kramžar (AS Roma -> Everton)

Both are on loan, and both represent a historic step. Votíková is from Czechia, Kramžar from Slovenia. These are countries where women's football is still waiting for its big boom, with their national teams yet to participate in an international tournament or achieve similar success. That is why the arrival of Votíková and Kramžar in the WSL is such a big step.

Votíková has already played one season in the WSL for Tottenham, while for Kramžar it is her first time. Both are only the second representatives of their countries in Europe's top league and currently the only ones. 

Read exclusive interview with Barbora Votíková here.